Westmoreland Alum Q&A with Franklin Regional's Jake Roberge

Former Franklin Regional soccer and football player Jake Roberge is now a starter at Northwestern University. (Photo by Northwestern Sports Information)

While fall athletics at Franklin Regional high school is often synonymous with football, the Panthers’ boys’ soccer team has also enjoyed success in recent seasons. Jake Roberge was at the center of both of those programs, as he excelled on the pitch for Franklin Regional, and also served as the team’s kicker on Friday nights. Now, Roberge is a standout on the soccer team at Northwestern University. He is this week’s feature on the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Roberge started for the Panthers’ soccer team as a freshman, although the team sputtered to a record of just 5-9-0. However, the following season, Franklin Regional enjoyed a drastic turnaround, as the Panthers compiled a mark of 13-4-2. In addition to reaching the WPIAL playoffs, the Panthers knocked off Ringgold in the first round, before ultimately falling to Canon-McMillan in the quarterfinals. In 2013, FR went 9-7-1, and lost to Fox Chapel in the first round. Lastly, in Roberge’s senior season, the Panthers were 11-6-1, and were beaten by Bethel Park in the postseason.

In addition to being a four-year starter, Roberge was a two-year captain in high school. He was a three-time All-Section and All-WPIAL honoree, as well as a two-time Section Player of the Year, and a 2014 First-Team All-State performer.

Meanwhile, on the gridiron, Roberge booted three field goals and 46 extra points for the Panthers in 2013, as Franklin Regional finished 10-2, including playoff victories against Montour and West Mifflin.

Following his career at Franklin Regional, Roberge matriculated to Northwestern University, where he joined the soccer team in 2015. As a freshman, Roberge appeared in 16 games, including five starts, for the Wildcats, scoring a goal and adding an assist. Northwestern finished 7-9-2 that season, including 3-4-0 in Big Ten play.

Roberge’s sophomore campaign was cut short by injury, as he played in 11 games, including two starts. He was held scoreless for the season, as NU compiled a mark of 6-11-1. Roberge was honored as an Academic All-Big Ten performer, however.

Last season, the Murrysville native played in 18 games, starting six times. He scored a goal, and registered a career-high six shots. Meanwhile, the Wildcats finished 7-12, but just 1-7 in the conference.

Thus far in his senior campaign, Roberge has appeared in six matches, as Northwestern has gone 4-1-1.

Jake took time from his schedule to answer questions about his training regimen, the transition from soccer to football, and his favorite professional athlete.

Q: How have you improved as a player during your time at Northwestern?

A: While my skill level has definitely improved from our training sessions over the past few years, I think the area I’ve improved the most is my overall knowledge of the game, and understanding how certain things I do impact the overall flow of the game.

Q: What specific training regimen do you have during the offseason?

A: During the offseason, our team emphasizes strength, agility and skill work. We’ll typically train 20 hours a week in the winter and spring, with an emphasis on those three elements of the game; whereas during the season, we focus primarily on game play.

Q: What has been your top moment thus far playing at Northwestern?

A: My top moment at Northwestern was when we beat No. 2 Notre Dame in 2016.

Q: Which opponent do you consider to be your biggest rival?

A: Our biggest rival is either Notre Dame or Indiana.

Q: What are your individual and team goals for the season?

A: My goal is to finish in the top three of the Big Ten and to win at least one NCAA tournament game; our team goals are very similar to my individual goals.

Q: What led to your decision to attend NU?

A: The three biggest reasons I chose Northwestern: academic reputation, location to Chicago, and the ability to play soccer in the Big Ten Conference.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: My major is economics, and in August, I accepted a job that I’m really excited about with William Blair, an investment bank in Chicago.

Q: What is the biggest difference between living in Pittsburgh and living in Evanston?

A: There aren’t too many differences between the two locations - definitely windier in Evanston than it is in Pittsburgh. Northwestern sits on Lake Michigan and has two beaches attached to its campus, which have been really fun to use over the years.

Q: At Franklin Regional, you kicked for the football team, in addition to playing soccer. What was the transition from the pitch to the gridiron like for you?

A: Since I was just kicking for the football team, there wasn’t a huge difference, but you definitely kick the ball in a different way in football than you do in soccer. For football, it’s more about the loft and height you can put on the ball, whereas in soccer, it’s all about accuracy.

Q: What was your fondest high-school memory?

A: My fondest high school memory was winning our section my senior year of high school.

Q: Who was the best soccer player you competed against in the WPIAL?

A: Probably Robbie Mertz. I’ve gotten to play against Robbie a few times in college, as well, and he’s been able to have an unbelievable career at Michigan.

Q: Who is your favorite professional athlete?

A: My favorite professional athlete is Paul Pogba.

Q: If you could bring back any cancelled TV show, which would you select?

A: Burn Notice

Q: Who is your celebrity dream date?

A: Blake Lively

Q: What is a secret talent you possess, or a little-known fact about you?

A: Beach sports like spikeball and beach volleyball are some of my hidden passions.